Wirral's wealth of independent gyms with unique vibes and safe spaces

But instead of celebrating and using the opportunity to tell more people about his award-winning gym, the 40-year-old wanted to shout about some of the other fantastic gyms Wirral has to offer.

Dream Body Health, Fitness and Nutrition took last year’s Best Gym in Wirral title and has added the 2024 award to its collection – no mean feat when you consider all the great workout venues in the area.

In April, we launched our Best of 2024 competition and we’ve given out 18 awards.

• Best for Hair – LA Hair
• Best for Pies – Pies4u
• Best for Nails - By Taylor Jade
• Best for Roast Dinner - The 21st Amendment Hoylake
• Best for Cocktails – Cow Shed Bar & Grill
• Best for Breakfast – At Gilly Gem’s
• Best for Fish and Chips - SelFish
• Best Beer Garden - The Red Fox
• Best for Fitness – Clubbercise and Chill
• Best for Tattoos – Speakeasy Tattoo Studio
• Best Independent Shop or Business – Snips Movies
• Best for Dessert – The Cookery Nook
• Best for Kids – The Corner House CIO
• Best for Pets – Dogs Go
• Best for Beauty – Ivy Lash Studio
• Best for Pizza – Nickel City Kitchen
• Best for Afternoon Tea – Fleur Ashley Tea Room
• Best for Burgers – The Good Hood

Voting for Wirral’s Best for Curry is currently taking place and we’re also looking for nominations in our latest search – Best Café or Coffee Shop.

Vote for Wirral’s Best for Curry 2024

Nominate your favourite for Wirral’s Best Café of Coffee Shop 2024

Seven top gyms made Wirral’s shortlist in the latest Best of 2024 category and Dream Body came out on top.

Owner Lenny opened the business in 2019 and moved from Borough Road to Manor Church on Church Road in Wallasey in 2022.

Dream Body owner Lenny Atherton and his son Lennon

He has lived in Wirral all his life apart from when he served in the army between 2000 and 2010.

When he found out that Dream Body had won the latest Best of 2024 title, Lenny wanted to shout about other gyms in Wirral as well as thank his customers and clients for their support.

Lenny said: “The fact our gym has been voted the best again is amazing and a testament to the kind of friendly and welcoming atmosphere and vibe we try to create here at Dream Body.

“While we may have had the most votes, that doesn’t take away from the fact that Wirral has a wealth of other amazing independent gyms, that all offer their own unique vibe and safe space to offer their members.

“Dream Body is a family run gym and we pride ourselves on creating a unique community feel within the gym where everyone feels comfortable and welcome.

“The gym is for everyone.

“I got into health and fitness mainly because my dad passed away at a very young age.

“Most of his health issues were the result of leading an unhealthy lifestyle.

“After my time in the military, I was pretty fit so I just made sense.

“I’ve been learning as I’ve gone along and built up from doing outdoor boot camps to the business I have today, growing year after year.

“We are about 50/50 with people coming in for our classes and people coming in for the gym with a few trying both.”

Dream Body creates a unique community vibe for members

Dream Body is based at Manor Church so it makes for an impressive workout space inside the old place of worship.

Lenny said: “Our current premises give us a lot of character and a really unique setting to workout in but I've always believed the biggest selling point of my business is myself and my staff.

“It’s how we treat people and make them feel while they are with us that makes the difference.

“Every day is different at the gym and we have so much fun at work – we’re like one big family and all the staff are really close.

“It’s not even like work.”

What do clients and customers think about Dream Body? Why did they want the gym to win our latest Best of 2024 award?

One nomination said: “It has to be Dream Body Health Fitness & Nutrition.

“One hundred per cent the best gym.”

Another regular said: “It’s the best place to go for a workout”.

Lenny was proud to make the shortlist again this year for Wirral’s Best Gym but wanted to take the opportunity to give fellow gym owners a shout out while thanking his customers.

Dream Body moved to Manor Church on Church Road in Wallasey in 2022

Lenny said: “I could see that a lot of our customers had been commenting and voting and it’s great to know that we must be doing something right.

“It’s great that our customers have backed us again – it really means a lot.

“Without them supporting us we wouldn’t even be here so we can’t thank our members enough.

“There are so many great gyms in Wirral – here are a few of my favourites:

Arnould’s Gym in Moreton is run by Gary Arnould and Emma Hughes and it is amazing.

I train there myself sometimes as their kit is top notch and also it’s another family-run gym like mine so I feel right at home there.

Empowered Fit is run by Thea Holden.

It’s brilliant and they run Hyrox classes and have built a great atmosphere for their members to train and feel comfortable in.

Behind Bars Callisthenics in Birkenhead run by Liam Liversage is also amazing.

He does a lot for local kids with his little ninjas programme and is always doing charity work for the community.

He’s a top guy.

The Unit Strength and Conditioning in Birkenhead run by Adam McCreevy.

This is a more private gym setting but he trains and supports a lot of local fighters and sports professionals in their specific training schedules.

Girl Code Gym run by sisters Lucy and Katie Maddocks is a great female only gym with lots of classes and a private gym creating a safe space for women to train in.

KadoFitness run by Karen Anderson and Donna Richmond.

This is another amazing female-only gym in Wallasey.

They have created a very friendly and nurturing setting for women to train with their great classes and personal training.

Sis-Fit ran by Jasmine Lane is another fantastic female only training facility.

They have great classes and personal training and also offer classes specifically for mums.